As we celebrate the 33rd year of its revival, the Golowan Festival once again provides the perfect antidote to troubled times, lifting spirits, raising hopes, and binding our community together. The theme this year “Golowan Celebrates Our Town, Our Planet” reflects the power of the community to come together and appreciate what is special and what really matters. We firmly believe that our town–Penzance and the surrounding communities of West Cornwall –is special and over more than 30 years of its colourful history Golowan has brought joy and laughter through music and dance, fabulous parades, fantastic images, magical mayhem, and midsummer madness. Golowan is uniquely special but also without doubt one of the finest community festivals in the country. Nothing in this world exists in isolation, however, and as part of the greater community – our planet –Golowan has, over the years, demonstrated its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The theme this year, therefore, reflects that continued commitment and invites everyone taking part to share their appreciation and love for all our community –local, national, and international. Celebrating Golowan, however, would not, of course, be possible without the “community” within the community –the team and volunteers who work throughout the year -and tirelessly in June -to bring the Festival alive and ensure that everything runs to schedule. The Golowan Team are desperately sorry that this year one vital member of that team will be missing. The passing of Craig Bond just before Christmas has left a huge hole in the Golowan Festival and in so many lives. We will all miss you, Craig! Golowan goes on, of course, and intrinsic to this is the support it receives from its main partner Penzance Town Council together with the Arts Council of England, FEAST, the National Lottery, Penzance BID and Sustainability Penzance. The Golowan Team seek to preserve the magic of old traditions while pursuing exciting innovation. This year particular attention has been paid to giving more young people the opportunity to get involved through an innovative music “Expo” in the period leading up to Mazey Weekend culminating in the popular and highly successful Youth Stages. It goes without saying that young people are the future of ‘our town, our planet’ and Golowan, while continuing to appeal to all ages, will actively encourage their participation and enjoyment of a community festival which has come down through the generations, and through them, will prosper and thrive for generations to come. Summer is here, Golowan is back again in all its glory and the Golowan Team would like to say thank you to everyone who makes it possible – enjoy yourselves!
